Pilot Recruitment
Becoming a Pilot at Jazz
Learn more about the variety of pathways you can take to become a pilot at Jazz. We’ve outlined everything you need to know to launch your Air Canada Express career today.
Which path will you take?
At Jazz, we understand that each pilot’s flight path is unique. We offer a variety of pathways to becoming a pilot at Jazz.
General Pilot
Application
Pilot candidates can start building a profile in our recruitment system at any time by clicking the APPLY NOW button below. Candidate profiles meeting our minimum hiring qualifications, will be assessed for selection to move forward in the hiring process.
Meets requirements + 500 hours
Interview
Flight simulator evaluation
Jazz Initial Pilot Training
Aviation and flight school graduates from Jazz-affiliated colleges and universities have an opportunity to be selected for a faster path to Jazz. Students can start building a profile in our recruitment system at any time by clicking the APPLY NOW button below.
Meets requirements + 250 hours*
Interview
Flight simulator evaluation
Jazz Initial Pilot Training
We award two top performing students from Jazz-affiliated colleges and universities at their convocation events. Qualified award winners are guaranteed an interview and simulator evaluation for a First Officer position.
Meets requirements + 250 hours*
Interview 
Flight simulator evaluation
Jazz Initial Pilot Training
Jazz and Seneca Polytechnic identify top-performing student pilots for selection during their final year in the aviation program. Seneca Jazz Cadets build their relationship with Jazz Flight Operations throughout their final year and are guaranteed an interview and flight simulator evaluation for a First Officer position.
Meets requirements + 250 hours*
Interview
Flight simulator evaluation
Jazz Initial Pilot Training
Jazz Approach is an innovative pilot training program that offers the fastest path to an airline First Officer position in Canada. This program is a first of its kind in Canada and provides a conditional letter of employment from Jazz upon selection into the program. Jazz Approach is offered in partnership with CAE and Cygnet Aviation Academy.
CAE and Jazz Flight Operations will conduct the recruitment and selection of cadets. Cadets will then undergo training in the integrated Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) over 18 months at Cygnet Aviation Academy. CAE will then provide advanced jet transition training at their state-of-the-art Toronto training facility.
Successful completion
Jazz Initial Pilot Training
Students can start building a profile in our recruitment system at any time. Once you have completed your flight training and graduated from your program at one of the affiliated colleges, universities or flight schools listed below, your application will be reviewed under our Jazz Direct requirements. Select candidates will be moved forward in the hiring process.
Jazz-affiliated colleges, universities and flight school programs:
- Collège Air Richelieu: Integrated ATPL – AEC
- BCIT: Airline and Flight Operations Commercial Pilot
- Brampton Flight Centre: Integrated ATPL
- Cégep de Chicoutimi: Pilotage d’aéronefs
- Conestoga College: Aviation – General Arts and Science
- Confederation College: Aviation Flight Management
- Mount Royal University: Aviation Diploma
- Okanagan College: Commercial Aviation
- Sault College: Aviation Technology – Flight
- Seneca Polytechnic: Honours Bachelor of Aviation Technology
- University of Waterloo: Aviation
- Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre: ATP Program
- Western University: Commercial Aviation Management
Jazz Direct Qualifications
Pilots who graduate from one of our Jazz-affiliated aviation college, flight school or university programs may apply to the Jazz Direct hiring process based on the criteria below.
- Commercial Pilots Licence
- Valid and Current Transport Canada Group 1 Instrument Rating; must currently meet the instrument recency requirements.
Valid Transport Canada Class 1 Medical. - A minimum of 80% on Transport Canada CPL, IFR, IATRA or SARON/SAMRA examinations, and successful Transport Canada flight tests.
- Must be able to obtain/maintain an airport Restricted Area Access Clearance (RAIC).
- Must hold a current passport.
- Must be a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident.
- If Permanent Resident, must be able to obtain/maintain crew visa documentation required to operate aircraft within the USA.
- Must meet Transport Canada English proficiency standard.
- Shall be licensed by Transport Canada to act as First Officers on 705 category aircraft.
- No failures on Transport Canada flight tests or aviation program check flights.
- Recommendation from faculty within your program.
- Demonstrated high level of professionalism.
Jazz Awards. Jazz bestows awards to two top-performing graduates at each of the Jazz-affiliated aviation colleges and universities for outstanding contributions to safety, leadership, and professionalism. The award recipients will be selected by the program chair or designate in consultation with Jazz to ensure the criteria as outlined are respected and that winners are reflective of Jazz’s vision, values and diverse employee base. Qualified award winners are guaranteed an interview and simulator evaluation for a First Officer position.
Welcome to Jazz Flight Operations
Your Air Canada Express career begins with us.
Jazz offers a unique experience for pilots by providing the ability to work in one of our four main bases in some of Canada’s most dynamic cities: Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver, with potential to move between bases. We offer flexibility by giving you the opportunity to customize your schedule through seniority bidding and online web-based apps that will assist you with managing your lifestyle.
Jazz pilots have access to incredible technology while soaring through the skies. We operate a fleet of Embraer 175, CRJ900 and Dash 8-400 aircraft across North America. You will be provided an iPad to manage your manuals and charts and a top-of-the-line Bose aviation headset for flying. When you’re not flying for work, discover the world using your travel benefits through the Air Canada network.
General Applicant Hiring Qualifications
- Minimum 500 hours total flight time.
- Commercial Pilots Licence
- Valid and Current Transport Canada Group 1 Instrument Rating; must currently meet the instrument recency requirements.
- Valid Transport Canada Class 1 Medical.
- Must be legally entitled to work in Canada (either a citizen or permanent resident) and legally able to enter the United States (no criminal conviction without a pardon).
- If Permanent Resident, must be able to obtain/maintain crew visa documentation required to operate aircraft within the USA.
- All applicants shall be licensed by Transport Canada to act as First Officers on 705 category aircraft..
Preference will be given to candidates with qualifications beyond the basic requirements:
- Applicants who possess a Canadian ATPL.
- Applicants with two crew multi-engine turbine experience.
- Graduates from an aviation college degree or diploma program.
- Applicants with commercial or military flight experience.
- Applicants with Flight Management System (FMS) and/or glass cockpit experience.
Our Hiring Process
Candidates who are selected to move forward with the hiring process can expect the following. Our recruitment professionals are here to support you along the way and can be reached at any time by emailing pilotrecruitment@flyjazz.ca.
1. Phone call pre-screening to verify qualifications and IFR recency requirements.
2. In-person or virtual interview with one of our pilot managers and a Jazz recruitment professional.
3. Thomas assessment.
4. Flight simulator evaluation.
5. Criminal background check, drug testing, and reference checks.
6. Final file review.
7. Verbal and written offer to the candidate.
Compensation and Benefits
Compensation: Pilots are paid a competitive package including:
- First Officer base salary starting at $65,588*
- Captain salary starting at $109,286*
- Additional pay incentives for Training Pilot duties
- Daily tax-free meal per diems on average $9000* per annum.
- Pilot medical fees, passports and uniform allowances that total over $1600 per annum.
Benefits:
- Jazz offers pilots a comprehensive healthcare plan based on company/pilot cost share including health, dental and disability benefits.
- Defined Contribution Pension Plan with annual increase in company match up to 8%.
- Pilot in Command Under Supervision (PICUS) program for individuals looking to upgrade their qualifications.
- Employee Share Ownership Program.
*Based on an average monthly credit of 82.5
Work Life Balance
- Guaranteed minimum of 12 days off per month.
- An extensive employee travel benefits program.
- A career growth pathway as the largest Canadian regional airline.
- A pilot will be granted up to fifty-two (52) weeks of parental care leave without loss of seniority for each occurrence of birth, adoption, foster or ward custody.
Destination Air Canada?
If Air Canada is the destination for your pilot career, start your journey here. We’ve been partners since day one and Jazz proudly provides Air Canada’s preferential source of qualified professional pilots through our flow program.
Contact us
Our Flight Operations and Recruitment professionals are here to support you.
